Plan of Sami tent

Cosmologies Many circum-polar peoples (northern Eurasia, northern America) have broadly similar ideas about spiritual and physical space. There is this world; the world above; and the world below. These may also be thought of as the realms of sky, earth and water/underground.

Shamans Normally only shamans may visit these other worlds at will. The shaman’s tree (e.g. his or her shaman’s staff; the central tent pole) may link these three realms.

Shaman with drum; healing paraphernalia A shaman’s tree: these may be natural or e.g. a carved pole

Cosmological landscapes Water and rivers also have cosmological significance. Places, people or animals which link or cross realms are thus special. Thus many Sami people were buried on islands. Rapids can also be seen as liminal zones between earth and water. Certain animals are associated with particular realms: birds with the sky, reindeer the earth, for example.

The site of Nammforsen: rapids and an island have made this a special place for at least five thousand years

Hunters; ships (?); and moose. Other images may include footprints, axes and birds. But it is perhaps the location which is most significant

Belief, space and place These belief structures may be very long- lasting and may date back several thousand years. The focus of much rock art in northern Scandinavia is at places near rapids or on islands, and the symbols also show much continuity. Thus the whole landscape is imbued with meaning and will be associated with events, beings and spiritual as well as physical travel.